There are few activities which match physical stillness with absolute rage quite like a good crossword. While this is all well and good day-to-day, last week saw at least one person traverse the line from humble respect for puzzle makers over to wishing to see them unemployed by sunrise.
"I've been doing this almost every day for years — this just doesn't add up," said Pennsylvania woman Jenna Happ. "How did nobody catch this before it was published?"
Over 30 minutes into the New York Times' Thursday puzzle, the bored desk worker couldn't help but ask herself who wronged her.
"Alright, let's see," began Happ as her eyes gazed up to the byline. "Okay. Lieberman made this thing, but Mr. Fagliano's the guy who let it all slide — that's where the buck needs to stop. What's gotten into Joel?"
The Reading resident started to ponder what may have potentially gone wrong in New York Times crossword editor Joel Fagliano's life to make him drop the ball.
"Is he married? Maybe he was served divorce papers 20 minutes before going to work today," wondered Happ, having decided any more time would no longer be an excuse. "Maybe a death in the family? But in that case, I bet he'd want to do an extra good job today in his recently deceased loved one's honor."
After spending several minutes deep in thought, Happ was launched back into reality upon realizing she had forgotten to pause the puzzle's timer. This prompted her to make a beeline for the nearest office bathroom, where she screamed into the thick fabric of her trusty cardigan.
As the spa desk agent returned to her computer, she began a new tab in order to commiserate with others who had also noticed the day's snafu. However, upon clicking the first crossword forum link, Happ was dispirited to learn that the "incorrect" puzzle was actually just a rebus.
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Photo courtesy of Spaghettifier via CC BY-SA 4.0
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